CORON:REEF AND WRECK – 2 JAPANESE WRECK AND PASS ISLAND TOUR

Coron’s best value often comes from combining several stops in one boat day, and this tour does just that: a World War II wreck, a coral garden, and a white beach on Pass Island. You can snorkel around the Lusong Gunboat, drift over coral, then spend two hours swimming and eating lunch beside a quiet shore.

I like the idyllic Pass Island stop and the fact that lunch, permits, hotel transport, and a medical kit are included in the $42 price. I also like the practical route, which gives you both underwater sights and time to relax instead of filling the whole day with snorkeling.

The main caution is timing and sea conditions. The boat ride can take about an hour to reach some stops, departure delays have occurred, and the open boat offers little shelter in rain. At Lusong Coral Garden, a strong current and jellyfish can also affect how comfortable the snorkeling feels.

Key points at a glance

• Lusong Gunboat Wreck: A roughly 35-meter Japanese vessel rests on its side in about 10 meters of water, making it accessible to snorkelers.
• Lusong Coral Garden: Strong current can create easy drift snorkeling, but conditions may be tiring for weaker swimmers.
• Pass Island: Expect a white beach, shallow warm water, lunch, and about two hours to relax.
• Good value at $42: Hotel pickup in Coron town, permits, entrance fees, lunch, snacks, water, and a beach cottage are included.
• Plan for weather: Bring a waterproof bag because the tourist boat is open air.
• Check the wreck list: East Tangat Wreck is part of the tour description, but the stated schedule lists Lusong Gunboat Wreck, Lusong Coral Garden, and Pass Island.

A boat day built around Coron’s wrecks and reefs

This is an eight-hour outing from Lualhati Park, Coron’s boat loading area. The basic plan is simple: leave town, spend time in the water, eat lunch on Pass Island, and return to the same park.

The appeal is variety. You are not paying for a single short snorkeling stop. You get an underwater wartime site, a coral area, and a beach break. That matters in Coron, where a full day on the water can otherwise feel repetitive if every stop is another reef.

The tour description also names East Tangat Wreck, a second Japanese vessel, as part of the wider route. Yet the detailed schedule lists only Lusong Gunboat Wreck, Lusong Coral Garden, and Pass Island. I would message Roadside Travel before paying if seeing two wrecks is essential to you. Ask specifically if East Tangat will be visited on your date and how long the boat will stop there.

Your English-speaking guide may be Mr. Melvin or Ms. Thess. The meeting point is behind the I AM CORON sign at Lualhati Park. Free pickup and return are offered for hotels within Coron town, while hotels outside town may incur an extra charge.

What the $42 price really covers

At $42 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want transport and basic day expenses bundled together. The price includes a licensed guide, tourist boat, professional vest, hotel pickup and drop-off within Coron town, permits, entrance fees, picnic lunch, bottled water, snacks, and use of a beach cottage.

That list removes several small costs that can quietly add up. You do not need to arrange your own boat transfer or pay separate site fees, and you have a shaded place to sit during the Pass Island stop.

The package does not include a mask, snorkel, aqua shoes, towel, underwater camera, or GoPro. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it, or ask the operator in advance about rental arrangements. The supplied information does not state that gear rental is included.

The medical kit is a useful inclusion, but it is not a substitute for your own medication. Bring personal prescriptions, motion sickness treatment if needed, and any supplies you normally use near the water.

Tipping is optional. Cash is still worth carrying for tips, extra transport charges, or small personal purchases, although no such purchase is promised on the route.

Leaving Lualhati Park for the outer islands

The day begins at Lualhati Park, behind the I AM CORON signage. The listed meeting time is 7:45 a.m. for an 8 a.m. departure, but one booking experienced a delay until about 9 a.m. with no clear explanation.

That kind of delay matters because this is already a long day. If the boat leaves late, time at a later stop can feel squeezed, or you may return later than expected. Keep your evening flexible and confirm the pickup time through WhatsApp.

The boat is open air, which is pleasant in good weather and exposed in rain. One useful packing tip is a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, dry clothes, and camera. A normal day bag may not protect your belongings during a wet crossing.

The route can take about an hour to reach some islands. That is not wasted time if you enjoy open-water views, but you should know what you are signing up for. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and something dry to sit on if you are sensitive to spray.

Lusong Gunboat Wreck and its wartime setting

The Lusong Gunboat is the clearest historical stop on the stated route. The roughly 35-meter Japanese gunboat was among twelve Japanese supply ships attacked by American forces on September 24, 1944. It sank in about 10 meters of water and now rests on its side at an angle.

You can snorkel above and around the wreck rather than needing advanced underwater skills. The shallow position lets you see the outline of the vessel, while coral and fish now occupy parts of the structure. It is a good example of how a wartime object has become part of the sea’s living environment.

The stop is scheduled for about one hour of swimming and snorkeling. That is enough time to make several passes over the wreck, but it is not a private, slow archaeological visit. Your view depends on water clarity, sunlight, current, and how many boats are using the site.

Stay off the wreck and do not touch marine life. The rules specifically prohibit touching animals, feeding them, or littering. Those rules protect both the reef and the historical structure, and they also reduce the chance of scraping yourself on metal or coral.

Lusong Coral Garden and the pull of the current

The coral garden sits close to the gunboat wreck, so the two stops work well together. Here you get a broad underwater area filled with coral formations and tropical fish rather than one large man-made object.

A strong current moves through the area. In good conditions, that current brings nutrient-rich water and lets you drift over the reef with less fin work. For a confident swimmer, this can be the most relaxing form of snorkeling: look down, keep your body calm, and let the water carry you along.

The same current can be a problem. One booking found it too strong to stop comfortably at the final snorkeling venue, and jellyfish were present in the water. Conditions can change, so listen closely to the guide and do not swim beyond your ability.

An aqua shoe can help with entries and shallow coral areas, but it is not included. Avoid standing on coral, even if the water looks shallow. If you are not a strong swimmer, ask where you can remain close to the boat or guide.

Two hours on Pass Island

Pass Island is the day’s breathing space. After the wreck and coral stops, you get around two hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, or plain old sitting on the beach.

The island has a white sandy beach and shallow, warm water. Its quieter setting makes it especially appealing if you want photographs, a swim without a schedule pressing hard, or time under a beach cottage. The surrounding water also supports snorkeling, so you can choose between activity and rest.

Lunch is served here as a picnic with bottled water and snacks included. The food received strong praise, which is important on a full boat day. You are not relying on finding a restaurant in the middle of the route.

Pass Island is also the best stop for simple photos. The beach and surrounding sea look good from shore, while the island’s shape is particularly appealing from above if you use a permitted drone. Check local flight rules and never operate it near people, boats, or wildlife.

Two hours sounds generous, but it includes lunch and changing time. Bring a cover-up, dry clothes, and a towel because none is supplied. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, and biodegradable insect repellent is a sensible choice for time on shore.

The East Tangat question

East Tangat Wreck deserves separate attention because it appears in the tour’s main description but not in the detailed three-stop schedule.

The vessel is described as a Japanese submarine hunter and tugboat, about 35 meters long. Its bow begins at roughly four meters and the wreck slopes down to about 22 meters, resting near a reef and sandy slope. Those shallow sections make it suitable for snorkeling, while the lower parts are better suited to scuba exploration.

The wreck is believed to have been scuttled by its crew after an air raid. Its position near shore and lack of major damage support that explanation, though you should treat it as the tour’s supplied historical account rather than a promise of a full guided history lesson.

If East Tangat is operating on your date, it adds a second wreck and makes the $42 fare even more attractive. Still, the written itinerary names only Lusong Gunboat, Lusong Coral Garden, and Pass Island. Confirm the exact route before booking, especially if the two-wreck title is the reason you chose this trip.

Sea conditions, comfort, and the long ride

This is not a luxury cruise. The tourist boat has an open-air design, and you will spend a meaningful part of the day sitting or moving between stops. That keeps the price down, but it leaves you exposed to sun, wind, and rain.

Bring a sun hat that will not blow away, sunglasses with a secure strap, and a waterproof phone case or dry bag. A charged smartphone is useful for contacting the operator and taking photos, but keep it protected during boat crossings.

Motion sickness is a real concern on a route with long crossings. The activity is not recommended for people with motion sickness, and it is also listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Tell the operator about medical limitations before the tour.

The Coast Guard can cancel a trip for safety reasons. In that case, you are entitled to a full refund or may reschedule when clearance is given. If the operator cancels, a full refund is also promised. A no-show, unused portion of the tour, or cancellation inside 24 hours does not qualify for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Coron boat tour

I would choose this outing if you want a budget-friendly full day that mixes reef time, a historical wreck, and a beach lunch. It suits people who can swim comfortably, handle a long open-boat ride, and accept that sea conditions control the pace.

It is also a good fit for photographers who want several settings in one day: rusting wreckage underwater, coral and fish, and a clean white beach. Bring your own underwater camera or GoPro because neither is supplied.

I would hesitate if you need a precise timetable, covered transport, or calm water at every stop. The reported late departure is worth keeping in mind, as is the possibility of heavy current or jellyfish. People who dislike boat motion or who need step-free access should choose a different activity.

The tour is conducted in English. It is not presented as a private trip, so you should expect shared transport and shared snorkeling sites. The supplied information does not state the group size, boat size, or exact return time.

Practical packing list for the eight-hour route

Bring the basics, then protect them from water:

• Snorkeling gear and aqua shoes
• Swimwear plus a dry change of clothes
• Beach towel
• Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
• Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent
• Waterproof bag for phone, cash, and medication
• Charged smartphone and camera
• Personal medication
• Cash for optional tips or extra charges

Do not bring alcohol for the vehicle, weapons, sharp objects, pets, or illegal drugs. Smoking, littering, feeding animals, and touching marine life are not allowed.

Should you book the Coron Reef and Wreck Tour?

Book it if the combination matters more to you than polish. For $42, the package covers a lot: town pickup, boat transport, permits, lunch, a beach cottage, and several worthwhile water stops. Pass Island and the included meal are the safest reasons to choose it, while Lusong Gunboat adds a memorable wartime setting.

Before booking, send one clear question to Roadside Travel: is East Tangat Wreck included on your departure date? Also confirm pickup time and ask about mask and snorkel availability.

I would rate this as a good-value, condition-dependent day rather than a flawless one. Choose it for the mix of scenery and snorkeling, pack for rain, allow for delays, and be ready to skip a water section if the current is too strong.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at Lualhati Park in Coron. Meet behind the I AM CORON signage at the boat loading area.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup and drop-off are offered for hotels within Coron town. Hotels outside Coron town may require an additional fee.

What is included in the $42 price?

The price includes a licensed English-speaking guide, tourist boat, professional vest, hotel pickup and drop-off within Coron town, permits, entrance fees, picnic lunch, bottled water, snacks, a beach cottage, and use of a medical kit.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkel gear, aqua shoes, towels, and underwater cameras are not included. Bring your own snorkeling equipment or ask the operator about arrangements before departure.

How long is the tour?

The stated duration is eight hours. The schedule includes about one hour at Lusong Gunboat, one hour at Lusong Coral Garden, and two hours at Pass Island, plus travel time.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. No refund is offered for a no-show, an unused portion of the tour, or cancellation within 24 hours. Coast Guard or operator cancellations qualify for a full refund, with rescheduling possible when Coast Guard clearance allows.